Latest news with #SensorNetworks
Zawya
26-03-2025
- Business
- Zawya
South Africa: A promising step forward as Eskom moves from crisis to innovation
Eskom is undergoing a quiet shift, from crisis to innovation, moving from a lack of agility and vision to embracing creativity and technology in its energy management and financial recovery. Mark Allewell, CEO & founder at Sensor Networks says Eskom's quiet shift from crisis to innovation is a promising step forward The entity is showing a willingness to explore non-traditional solutions, from smart meters to microgrids, that could redefine its role in securing South Africa's energy future. . For years, we've watched leadership changes justified by qualifications and experience, but rarely by creativity. Maluti-a-Phofung Municipality case study A key initiative is Eskom's growing collaboration with municipalities to curb illegal connections and recover outstanding debt, which now approaches R100bn. The case study with Maluti-a-Phofung Municipality demonstrated a proactive approach, recovering R2bn while strengthening local governance over energy distribution. Instead of treating municipalities as adversaries, Eskom is recognising them as partners in stabilizing the grid. Smart metering Smart metering is another crucial step forward. With built-in anti-tampering technology, these meters can enhance transparency and efficiency in power consumption tracking. Smart technology is essential, not only for Eskom's operational control but also for consumers to better manage their own electricity use. It's time for South Africans to see themselves as active participants in energy sustainability, by using smart geyser devices, energy management apps on their cellphones, timers, and eco-friendly appliances to reduce reliance on the grid. Recent media reports have confirmed that Calib Cassim, Eskom's chief financial officer, shares this outlook. Cassim has made it clear that Eskom's financial recovery and long-term sustainability depend on innovative, technology-driven solutions, and that smart metering offers a practical step towards stabilizing our grid. Alternative energy solutions Eskom's recent openness to alternative energy solutions signals a welcome departure from its traditional, centralised model. For too long, Eskom has embodied the definition of insanity: doing the same thing repeatedly while expecting different results. Now, we're seeing a shift towards smarter, more adaptive solutions that engage both technology and public-private collaboration. A promising step forward While no single strategy will solve South Africa's energy challenges overnight, this evolution in thinking offers a promising step forward. If Eskom can continue to embrace innovation rather than brute-force solutions, the future of power stability in South Africa may be more hopeful than we once believed. All rights reserved. © 2022. Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
Zawya
12-03-2025
- Business
- Zawya
South African Startup Sensor Networks Partners with Global Geyser Leader Ariston
In a significant milestone for local innovation, South African startup Sensor Networks has secured a groundbreaking partnership with Ariston, the world's largest geyser manufacturer, headquartered in Italy. This collaboration will introduce state-of-the-art smart water heating solutions to South African homes in 2025, marking a major achievement for homegrown technology on the global stage. After months of extensive product development, refinement, and certification, Ariston geysers will now come integrated with Sensor Networks' smart geyser devices. These advanced products will be available across major plumbing retailers in South Africa. This marks the first time that locally developed smart geyser technology has been adopted at such a large scale by a leading global heating company, solidifying South Africa's role in the growing smart energy solutions sector. Consumers will now have access to Ariston's premium water heating systems, enhanced by Sensor Networks' cutting-edge smart technology. The Sensor Connect mobile app, developed locally, allows homeowners to monitor, control, and optimize their energy consumption, enabling them to make significant savings on their electricity bills. 'This partnership is a major win for South African innovation,' said Mark Allewell, CEO of Sensor Networks. 'Our smart geyser solution meets international standards, and seeing our technology integrated into Ariston's products is a huge achievement. This collaboration allows us to scale our impact and help thousands more South Africans reduce their energy costs and carbon footprints.' Wayne Vertue, Country Director at Ariston, shared his enthusiasm: 'As a global leader in water heating, Ariston is dedicated to providing sustainable, high-performance solutions. Sensor Networks' innovative smart geyser technology aligns perfectly with our commitment to energy efficiency. By integrating their expertise into our products, we are offering South African consumers a smarter, more efficient way to manage their energy use.' This smart geyser solution is not only beneficial to homeowners but also offers great potential for property developers, providing a scalable, remote energy management tool for large residential projects. With over 12,000 South African households already benefiting from Sensor Networks' smart geyser technology, this landmark partnership with Ariston—the second-largest water heating manufacturer in South Africa—will accelerate the adoption of smart energy solutions, further positioning South Africa at the forefront of energy efficiency initiatives.
